Chain guide sensor and methods of controling a bicycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9944350-B2
Application number	US-201614992651-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 11, 2016
Priority date	Jan 11, 2016
Publication date	Apr 17, 2018
Grant date	Apr 17, 2018

Abstract

A gear change mechanism for a bicycle may involve a tensioner that has a wheel engaged with a chain in a bicycle drivetrain. This tensioner may be configured to rotate or otherwise change orientation in response to slack in the chain to maintain tension in the chain. A sensor may be used to measure the orientation of a tensioner of a chain in a bicycle drivetrain, and/or the physical orientation of components indicative thereof. Actions may be triggered by signals generated by the sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gear change mechanism for a bicycle operated with a plurality of sprockets driven by a chain, the gear change mechanism comprising:
a base member configured for mounting to the bicycle;
a link mechanism pivotably connected to the base member;
a moveable member pivotably mounted to the link mechanism such that the moveable member is movable in an axial direction relative to the base member;
a chain guide configured to engage and guide the chain; and
a sensor configured to determine an angle of the chain guide relative to the moveable member.

2. The gear change mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the chain guide comprises:
a pivot member rotatably mounted to the moveable member and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation;
a first wheel configured to interface with the chain and rotate about a second axis of rotation; and
a positioning member extending between and connecting the pivot member and the first wheel.

3. The gear change mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the positioning member is rigidly connected to the pivot member.

4. The gear change mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the chain guide further comprises a second wheel configured to interface with the chain and rotate about a third axis of rotation.

5. The gear change mechanism of claim 4 , wherein the third axis of rotation is the same as the first axis of rotation.

6. The gear change mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured to determine an angle of rotation of the pivot member about the first axis of rotation.

7. The gear change mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect an angular position of a magnet.

8. The gear change mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is a magnetic rotary encoder.

9. The gear change mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is mounted on the moveable member or the pivot member.

10. The gear change mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the magnet is disposed on the other of the pivot member or the movable member.

11. The gear change mechanism of claim 9 , wherein the magnet is disposed on an end of the pivot member.

12. The gear change mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the chain guide further comprises a biasing device coupled with the chain guide and configured to maintain a tension in the chain.

13. The gear change mechanism of claim 12 , wherein the biasing device is fixably attached to the moveable member and the chain guide.

14. The gear change mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising:
a processor in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the sensor is further configured to communicate a signal indicative of the angle.

15. The gear change mechanism of claim 14 , further comprising:
a motor operatively coupled to the link mechanism to move the movable member along the axial direction, and wherein the processor is configured to provide a command signal to the motor in response to the signal indicative of the angle.

16. A method of drivetrain management for a bicycle driven by a chain operating over a plurality of sprockets, the method comprising:
determining, with a sensor, an angle of a tensioner chain contact relative to a tensioner mount, the tensioner chain contact configured to maintain a tension in the chain; and
detecting, by a processor in communication with the sensor, a change in the angle of the tensioner chain contact.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the tensioner chain contact is a tensioner wheel having a center disposed a distance from a pivot member having a first axis of rotation, the tensioner wheel being configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation to interface with the chain so as to maintain a tension in the chain.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the tensioner wheel is connected to the pivot member with a rigid member, and the determining the angle of the tensioner wheel comprises measuring, with the sensor, a rotational orientation of the pivot member.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the measuring the rotational orientation of the pivot member comprises measuring a rotational orientation of a magnet attached to the pivot member.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the measuring the rotational orientation of the magnet attached to the pivot member comprises measuring a rotational orientation of the magnet attached to a distal end of the pivot member.

21. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
communicating, by the processor, a control signal to an electric motor in response to the detecting the change in the position of the tensioner chain contact.

22. A chain tensioner for a bicycle operated with a plurality of sprockets driven by a chain, the chain tensioner comprising:
a tensioner mount configured to be attached to a bicycle;
a pivot member rotatably mounted to the tensioner mount and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
a chain interface structure comprising:
a chain interface component configured to maintain contact with the chain, and
a positioning member extending between and connecting the pivot member and the chain interface component;

a biasing device coupled with the chain interface structure and configured to maintain a tension in the chain; and
a sensor configured to determine an angle of the chain interface structure relative to the tensioner mount.

Assignees

• Sram Llc

Inventors

• Braedt Henrik
• Jordan Brian

Classifications

• B62M9/10

  involving different-sized wheels, {e.g. rear sprocket chain wheels} selectively engaged by the chain, belt, or the like {(bicycle hubs rotatably arranged on axle B60B27/023)} · CPC title

• G01B7/30

  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes · CPC title

• B62M9/124

  Mechanisms for shifting laterally · CPC title

• B62M9/16

  Tensioning or adjusting equipment for chains, belts or the like · CPC title

• B62J2099/002

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic